The Effect of Health Belief Model-based Water Conservation Education on Women's Water Use Behaviours: A Randomised Controlled Trial

The 'water crisis' is consistently one of the top 5 global risks identified in the World Economic Forum's annual Global Risk Reports. As a result, water scarcity is rapidly becoming a global issue. The world is facing a water crisis that has reached proportions that could threaten environmental sustainability. This situation requires urgent action to protect and use water resources efficiently.

In the context of water scarcity, the promotion of awareness among individuals to minimise water usage, the modification of water consumption habits, and the enhancement of water use efficiency are of paramount importance from a public health perspective.Initiatives that predominantly advocate sustainable water conservation offer water conservation as a pivotal component of environmental initiatives. Such initiatives represent a substantial advancement for humanity in terms of planning and managing water resources in the future.The sustainable management of water is imperative for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring long-term water security. In considering the role of psychological theories in understanding and explaining human behaviour, the present research aims to examine the effect of an educational programme created using the Health Belief Model and integrated into primary care services on water use and behaviour.

The study intervention was meticulously formulated on the basis of the Health Belief Model, encompassing a training programme focused on individuals' water footprints and water consumption habits.The training programme is structured into two sessions, each spanning 30 minutes.The training programme, grounded in the Health Belief Model, encompasses the following subjects: water scarcity, water resource pollution, the ramifications of water pollution, water conservation and sustainable water utilisation. The objective of each topic is to raise awareness of water consumption, prevent water scarcity, increase compliance with water saving, reduce water consumption, and cultivate sensitivity, with the aim of effecting a change in water saving behaviours that is sustainable.The training studies were prepared by taking into account the sub-dimensions of the Health Belief Model (Sensitivity/Sensitivity Perception, Seriousness/Care Perception, Benefit Perception, Barries Perception, Actionables, Self-Efficacy).